You're taking a huge risk when you purchase a German Shepherd pup. You will be responsible, for many years, for the health and training of your dog.
Pet stores and online sources offer puppies, which are typically from puppy mills that place profit ahead of the health of animals. Select a reputable breeding facility instead.
Selecting a Breeder with a Good Reputation
Before you buy a German Shepherd pup, it's essential to get acquainted with the breeder. Breeders who are responsible will be happy to share information about their dogs and breeding practices. They will be willing to discuss genetic and health testing, early socialization, and the environment in which their puppies are fostered.
The best place to begin is with your local German Shepherd club or other organization. The breed clubs typically have a secretary, or puppy officer, who can guide you to reputable breeders. You can also contact your state animal control agency to get an inventory of licensed breeders.
Once you've identified a breeder who has good breeding standards, make sure you take the time to meet them in person. Find a clean and tidy facility where the mother and pups are comfortably confined. You should inquire about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You should know if they have been screened for hereditary conditions like hip dysplasia or eye problems.
A responsible breeder should be capable of providing you with a copy of your puppy's medical record and a current shot schedule. They should have a strong relationship with a vet who can perform all the necessary tests and vaccinations. They can give you the name of the veterinarian and his phone number and provide you with records of your consultation.
It's also an excellent idea to inquire with the breeder whether they have any concerns regarding your lifestyle or living circumstances that would hinder them from selling you a puppy. If they know you have children and they are concerned about your children's safety, they might not wish to offer you a German Shepherd puppy because they are known to be aggressive with children.
You should also expect a reputable breeder to ask you to sign a contract to purchase your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should include information about the parents, their AKC registration number as well as a clause allowing them to return the puppy to the breeder. This is a vital way for a responsible breeder to monitor their dogs and ensure that they are going to good homes.
Health Tests
Reputable breeders undertake health tests on the dogs that will be part of their breeding selection. This is to make sure that they don't produce pups with an inherited disease. These tests include hip dysplasia as well as elbow dysplasia, as well as degenerative myelopathy GDV and bloat.
Breeders who are reputable strive to know the temperaments and health issues of each dog they own. They also are able to freely and completely give this information to other breeders and prospective buyers.
The Kennel Club's Assured Breeder Scheme requires members to conduct certain tests on their dogs. The breed clubs for German shepherds also suggest that breeders carry out additional tests.
These tests are designed to detect genetic diseases that affect all German Shepherd Dogs. These tests also help breeders make better mating decisions that will decrease the likelihood of hereditary illnesses in the next generations.
The most common genetic tests are
Hip Dysplasia
German Shepherds are at risk of elbow and hip dysplasia, particularly in the front limbs. These joint conditions that cause degeneration cause pain and discomfort, but they can be treated with weight control, activity limitations and supplements as well as medications. X-rays are taken with sedation, to get precise results, and then sent to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
The OFA test focuses on the presence of hemivertebras, butterfly vertebras, block vertebra, lumbar sacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV) as well as spondylosis, hemivertebra and spina bifida. This test isn't foolproof and does not predict whether a dog's spinal condition will be degenerative myelopathy.
Socialization
GSDs need rigorous physical exercise, training, and mental stimulation to stay active. They are prone to becoming bored and inactivity may lead to destructive behaviors like excessive digging or eating shoes. The majority of these behaviors stem from insufficient emotional requirements. This is why early socialization is so vital for German Shepherd puppies. Proper socialization allows the pup to build confidence around new people and different environments. It also reduces the risk that the puppy will grow anxious or aggressive in new situations.
The mother and her littermates play together and play with each other. This helps puppies learn appropriate social cues and how to deal with their boisterous, sometimes rough, siblings. It also exposes the pups to a variety of smells, sights, and sounds. The puppies are taught how to behave in groups. This is vital to their success as adults.
The puppy should be exposed to different household sounds including vacuum cleaners, doorbells and kitchen appliances. The puppy should be exposed to different sounds outside, such as traffic, sirens and construction. This is essential to ensure that the puppy does not grow up afraid or anxious of these types of stimuli. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a calming pace and positive reinforcements will be utilized throughout the process.
It is also very important that the puppy gets to meet numerous people during this time, as well as other pets. This can help reduce separation anxiety when the owner is away. This can be accomplished by taking the dog to puppy classes, dog parks or play dates with other dogs.
The puppy should be able to interact with other dogs in a safe well-controlled manner. The interaction should be restricted at first so that the puppy does not become overwhelmed. The puppy should also be allowed to be around calmer, older, friendly dogs. This will allow the puppy to realize that not all older, larger dogs are scary and it will help them to develop a good temperament.
Training
German Shepherds require strict regular obedience training. It is crucial to get them into a class early enough and especially when they are still young. This will help them develop into well-mannered, confident dogs. This is also a good time to get them familiar with the basic commands like sit, down, stay and come. The earlier a dog is taught these basic commands, the more easy it will be for them to follow your directions as they age.
Territorial aggression can be a problem in many families with German Shepherds. They might be incredibly concerned about their home and property, resulting in barking or yelling at those who enter their area of. Territorial behavior can be prevented by the proper training, exercise and socialization.
Training in obedience can aid in preventing other problems with behavior in German Shepherds. If a dog doesn't have the right obedience training could become a nuisance and even a danger to family members and their neighbors. They can be easily distracted by other pets, toys or children. They may ignore basic commands such as "sit" and "down."
During the puppy years It is essential to socialize your German Shepherds with new people, places, and deutscher schäferhund kaufen österreich [visit the following post] sounds. This is especially important before the puppy turns 16 weeks old and their brains are undergoing an important stage of development. If your German Shepherd is a protected pup until then they'll likely encounter new experiences much more challenging as an adult and be more susceptible to fear-based aggression and anxiety.
Many dog owners don't realize that the German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise to be calm and happy. German Shepherds are herders by nature, and they are driven to please their owners and work. If they don't get enough exercise, they may become bored or even destructive. Regular exercise can tone muscles, decreases "cabin fever," improves circulation and aids in weight loss. It's also a great opportunity to strengthen the bond between you and your German shepherd!
